The Top 3 Problems With Plasma TVs

It's easy to be instantly drawn to a plasma TV screen, especially one that is displaying full HDTV programming. The visual beauty is amazing. And plasma TVs tend to be among the lower cost thin screen technologies that are available today. But there are a few problems inherent to the design and you should at least be aware of them before making a buying decision.

The first is that plasma TVs use inert gases that are illuminated to display colors on the screen. The way that this is accomplished makes for very high contrast, vivid images on the screen, but it also can be affected by high altitudes. If you live above 6,000 - 7,000 feet above sea level, you should know that plasma TVs have to work much harder to produce the same image than they would at lower altitudes. This may not cause an immediate problem, but over time the monitor wears out much faster due to the extra work load. So if you happen to live in high altitudes, just bear this in mind when buying a plasma TV.

The second problem that plasma TVs can exhibit is a susceptibility to screen burn-in. This happens whenever any static image stays on the screen for a very long time and is still faintly visible even when the image changes. It is said to have been "burned-in" to the screen, and can be very irritating to see a ghost pattern still visible as you watch TV. The easy way to avoid this problem with older plasma screens is to make sure that you don't leave the TV on when you are not watching it, and especially when pausing a video game for a very long time. Thankfully though, newer plasma screen TVs have technology built in to address this problem that subtly shifts the image to surrounding pixels as you watch and essentially keeps the image moving although your eye does not detect it.

The third plasma TV problem that we will discuss is the heat it generates as it runs. Plasma screens often cause so much heat inside the unit that manufacturers usually install a fan to cool it down while operating. This actually works very well, but on some models the noise that the fan makes can become an annoyance. So listen for this problem carefully before you buy.

None of these problems are major enough to say that you shouldn't buy a plasma screen TV, but they should be understood beforehand so you can use the equipment properly, and choose the right plasma TV when you buy.

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How to buy a plasma television set

Most people think that all you have to do to purchase a new plasma television set is to walk into a shop, look around, and purchase the first set that catches your attention. This is how you're supposed to do it, right? Wrong! Buying a television, whether it has a plasma monitor or a LCD monitor, takes careful planning.

The first step in finding your dream plasma television set is to measure the space where you plan to put it. This will help you to decide which size set to buy and will also help to guide your budget. Remember to measure your car, too- there's nothing more frustrating than picking out and purchasing that perfect plasma television set, if you can't fit it into the car to get it home!

If you're going to splash out and completely redecorate your home entertainment room, you should think about contacting a home installer, to get some tips and ideas before contracting the work. Remember to take into consideration things which might affect your view of the TV, such as lighting, windows, and other parts of the room which could possibly cause a reflection or obstruction of the display.

Once you've thought about where you're going to put your new plasma television set- and how you're going to get it home- you now need to think about what sort accessories you'll need. Will you be using it in conjunction with your camcorder? Will you need to purchase a set of external speakers, or will you be hooking the television set up to your stereo? If so, remember to check that the monitor or set has an AV-hook up. Having the hook up in the front of the TV will make it more convenient to attach your camcorder or gaming system.

Finally, you should consider the television set's overall picture quality and ease of use. Take the time to sit and watch the set in the store, to get an idea of how you'll feel watching it at home.

With a little preparation, you'll find the plasma TV set that is just right for you and your home.

Tom Ace is the founder of Plasma tv Resources a website providing information on plasma televisions.